The Vulture Menace

So to try to put this in perspective - the hanging vulture is more or less directly behind our home - the end unit of Napper's building. And to be honest until it was pointed out to us, we never saw it - but then we don't spend alot of time on our deck either. I'm not crazy about having it out there but if its keeping the vultures away then that's more important to me - especially since a couple of the vultures digging in the trash have walked towards me while walking to my car in the early mornings. Add to that the bird droppings that were all over my vehicles and the sound of them walking on the roof - yep I'm glad they're gone! If we have to do this again, please, neighbors, let us know - we'd like to help with any cost involved!

And it DOES have to do with the HOA, since they gave you permission to do this!

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I agree with you here. If the HOA didn't allow access to the property, then this could not have occured.
As a Board member I supported this. If you recall from the previous discussions about this, I also like these birds and find them fascinating. However, if they were doing to my house what they were doing out there, I would also be one of the ones who wanted them gone. So, I supported this action.

Hopefully, someone will let the HOA office know when the bird falls. I think it was a smart idea to try and turn this into an educational opportunity at the Nature Center.

Wow. I think its very cool that the USDA is using a natural means to control the gathering of vultures. I also think its pretty responsible of the neighbors to do the right thing in this case, and follow federal mandates, at their own expense.
If the carcass is causing Napper that much anguish, call the USDA and ask them to move the damn thing. Or - when they come to string up another, to move it a bit so the complaining can stop.
Personally, I kinda like it. If I lived nearby, I'd totally volunteer to have it done behind my house. Its nature in action, and isnt that what Broadlands is all about?
Lighten up folks - there are much bigger issues in this world, and if we put half the energy into those things, as we do with some thing this little- imagine what could be accomplished.

napper's complains about being tramatized about having to see it "through my windows, from my deck and from my backyard", and " it's kind of hard not to look at it. And I have to keep my head down when walking my dog so as not to see it"

My point being is it's no bigger, nor more eye grabbing then a squirrels nest. Any trauma over it is self-induced. Something hanging in the trees? There is all kinds of stuff in the trees - including squirrels nests. But they don't seem to be causing anyone else to have to "keep their head down" just to avoid seeing it.

The thing is obscure and bothering no one except someone who was against the action in the first place and seemed to embrace the creature problem rather then acknowledge the damage had to stop. Someone who was arguing to anyone and everyone who would (and wouldn't) listen (including the HOA board) that the USDA's action shouldn't be allowed and must be stopped.

Imagine if a creature was burrowing all under your driveway and sidewalk causing the whole thing to cave in and crumble - I assume you'd prefer to rid your yard of the creature destroying your property? Or would you prefer your neighbor feed the critter so he won't leave.. and when you tried to follow the expert's advice and method on how to stop the damage, your neighbor would go to anyone and everyone to try to stop you? Just how would you proceed then?

Perhaps an artificial likeness of a vulture would have served the same purpose without upsetting anyone and would have served long term as opposed to a fresh carcass that may last for only 3-4 months. Personally, I am glad they receive protective status.

Perhaps an artificial likeness of a vulture would have served the same purpose without upsetting anyone and would have served long term as opposed to a fresh carcass that may last for only 3-4 months. Personally, I am glad they receive protective status.

An artificial carcass would have no effect on a bird with a keen sense of smell and sight.

Additionally, an artificial carcass and a true carcass would both probably look the same, at which point Napper would probably be complaining about having to look at an artificial carcass every time she looks out her window, or something along those lines. In my opinion, I doubt she would be happy with any method used to be honest with you.

Listen, the method used by the USDA is proven, approved and it WORKS. I'll put the proven methods used by the USDA over what someone finds on Google running a couple searches for 5-10 minutes. Sorry.

Additionally, an artificial carcass and a true carcass would both probably look the same, at which point Napper would probably be complaining about having to look at an artificial carcass every time she looks out her window, or something along those lines. In my opinion, I doubt she would be happy with any method used to be honest with you. QUOTE]

That's where you're wrong. When the note first came around, I thought that an effigy was an artificial bird, which has been used by the USDA before. That, I wouldn't have minded. But, whatever, I'm done with this. You win. But, please, everyone, feel free to keep bad mouthing me.

That's where you're wrong. When the note first came around, I thought that an effigy was an artificial bird, which has been used by the USDA before. That, I wouldn't have minded. But, whatever, I'm done with this. You win. But, please, everyone, feel free to keep bad mouthing me.

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Not bad mouthing you, but you your 'stretching the truth' is what gets me.

There hasn't even been any talk of hanging an artificial bird and you know it.

Back on page 8:

Me:

"I'd rather spend the money on the next option from the USDA which is killing one of these pests and hanging it in their nesting tree. That's a proven method as well. But right now, we don't need go to that step."

Not bad mouthing you, but you your 'stretching the truth' is what gets me.

There hasn't even been any talk of hanging an artificial bird and you know it.

Back on page 8:

Me:

"I'd rather spend the money on the next option from the USDA which is killing one of these pests and hanging it in their nesting tree. That's a proven method as well. But right now, we don't need go to that step."

You:

"But there will be NO hanging of a dead one. I WILL fight that."

You know full well our last option was shooting and hanging one.

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I said I was done with this, but I'm not going to let you tell lies about me. I had contacted the USDA last year also, and he said that they wouldn't be hanging a dead one, but a fake one if it comes to that. So, again, you assume what I know and don't know. And, by the way, they didn't shoot one. It was in their freezer already.

I said I was done with this, but I'm not going to let you tell lies about me. I had contacted the USDA last year also, and he said that they wouldn't be hanging a dead one, but a fake one if it comes to that. So, again, you assume what I know and don't know. And, by the way, they didn't shoot one. It was in their freezer already.

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Oh, of course they did. Odd how they didn't tell us that it would be a fake one.

The vultures have returned but are not roosting in the area as far as I can tell. They arrive in the morning around 8am and hang out in the trees, roofs, and decks on Welby and Harvest Green. The turkey vultures scatter quickly but the black vultures are appearing in greater numbers along with their fledglings and are tearing into garbage bags left out without bins. I'm waiting to hear back from the USDA extension office for advice...